Page 17 - ParentsWorld June 2020

nurturing 21st Century Children
early

Childhood

dr. atiSh Laddad

Addressing appetite slump in

TODDLERS

appetite slump in toddlers in paediatric jargon is loss of desire to eat. this is common in
children between the ages of two-six

dr. atish Laddad

common refrain of parents dePreSSion/StreSS. Parental con-
especially mothers, is flict, loss of a loved one and other
A t their infant is not unpleasant experiences hugely
tha
eating enough. Appetite impact children’s mental health,
slump in toddlers is pae- leading to stress, anxiety, and
diatric jargon for loss appetite slump.
of desire to eat. This is
common in children JunK food. Toddlers who
between the ages of are permitted access to
two and six. Most junk food between meals
parents report that are likely to experience ap-
children’s growth and petite slump at mealtimes.
bodily development Moreover high junk food
reduces significantly intake could lead to lifestyle
after the first year. In diseases such as childhood
the first year, infants obesity and diabetes in later
record steady growth and life.
weigh about 5-6 kg. How-
ever, between ages 2-6 body eXceSSive fLuid intaKe. Drink-
weight gain is relatively slow. It’s ing packaged juices and/or other liquids
not unusual for children not to display apart from water, in between and during
any significant weight gain for three-four meals, causes bloating and appetite slump.
months.
While measured bodily growth during early childhood abSence of PhySicaL activity. Inactive and seden-
(2-6 years) results in dropping appetite, there may be other tary lifestyle of infants slows digestion and reduces food
reasons why young children suffer appetite slump. cravings of children.

iLLneSS. If your child is suffering any type of illness such booSting chiLdren’S aPPetite
as sore throat, fever, stomach pain, skin rash etc, she is likely  Allow your child the freedom to decide the amount of
to refuse food. In such cases seek medical advice immedi- food she wants to eat. Every child has an appetite centre
ately. in the brain which regulates food intake according to the

parentsworld • june 2020 18